With the 2026 Golden Globes ceremony fast approaching, host Nikki Glaser is facing a significant comedic hurdle: finding the right joke about Hollywood icon Julia Roberts. The comedian, who returns to host the prestigious awards show on Sunday after a successful stint last year, admitted that Roberts has proven to be "the toughest nut to crack."
The Elusive Julia Roberts Joke
Glaser, speaking in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, expressed a determined focus on crafting material for the Oscar-winning actress, who is nominated for Best Actress in a Drama for her role in "After the Hunt." Roberts will be seated in the audience at the Beverly Hilton, directly in front of the stage. Glaser noted the unique challenge, stating that while Roberts herself would likely be fine with a joke, her fervent fanbase is less forgiving.
"I just want to do the perfect joke but it’s like people do not have a sense of humour about Julia Roberts," Glaser explained. She recounted testing seemingly innocent jokes in previews, only to be met with boos and jeers from audiences protective of the star. This echoes a similar challenge from her 2025 monologue, where finding the right tone for a joke about the film "Wicked" took considerable time but ultimately resulted in a line she loved.
Testing Material and Targeting Other Stars
Glaser's preparation is intensely hands-on. She has been rigorously testing her monologue material at comedy clubs across Southern California, using the live audience as a crucial feedback mechanism. She even asks club-goers to role-play as specific celebrities, like Julia Roberts, to gauge reactions. This process has led to some jokes being cut, such as a pun on the film "Pluribus" that failed to land.
For other A-list nominees, however, Glaser feels more confident. She plans to take good-natured aim at several stars in the crowded Best Actor categories:
- Timothée Chalamet: Nominated for "Marty Supreme," Glaser says he "knows how to handle it," referencing a joke about his moustache from last year.
- George Clooney: A first-time target for Glaser at the Globes, nominated for "Jay Kelly." She believes he will be a "good sport."
- Leonardo DiCaprio: Nominated for "One Battle After Another." Glaser promised, "We’re going to hit Leo," with a playful warning about icebergs.
- Michael B. Jordan: The host expressed excitement about her material for the "Sinners" nominee.
Navigating Current Events and Last-Minute Changes
Like any awards show host, Glaser remains wary of major news events disrupting her carefully prepared material. She revealed that just over the past weekend, she believed she would have to address the situation in Venezuela during her monologue. Her view has since shifted, highlighting the difficulty of predicting what will feel relevant by showtime.
"You can’t even anticipate things a week away as being relevant enough," she remarked, noting that often half the room in the glamorous ballroom might be unaware of specific current affairs.
The final monologue for the CBS telecast remains a work in progress, set to be refined until the moment she walks on stage. Glaser's mission is clear: to deliver a roast-style set that walks the fine line between affectionate teasing and meanness, with the elusive Julia Roberts joke as her current white whale.
